[ JACKSONVILLE ]

Researchers Tag and Release Great White Shark Off Jacksonville Coast

Published: Monday, March 4, 2013 at 11:44 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 4, 2013 at 11:44 p.m.

Researchers said they have tagged and released a great white shark off the coast of Jacksonville.

Scientists from the group Ocearch said told The Florida Times-Union that they caught the one-ton female Sunday afternoon near the Mayport Naval Station.

Researchers took blood and tissue samples from the shark, which they named "Lydia." They also installed four tracking devices meant to log the shark's travels through satellites and undersea acoustic monitoring.

The blood and tissue samples will be used for genetic analysis that can help compare shark populations in the western and eastern Atlantic and off the African coast.

<p>Researchers said they have tagged and released a great white shark off the coast of Jacksonville. </p><p>Scientists from the group Ocearch said told The Florida Times-Union that they caught the one-ton female Sunday afternoon near the Mayport Naval Station. </p><p>Researchers took blood and tissue samples from the shark, which they named "Lydia." They also installed four tracking devices meant to log the shark's travels through satellites and undersea acoustic monitoring. </p><p>The blood and tissue samples will be used for genetic analysis that can help compare shark populations in the western and eastern Atlantic and off the African coast.</p>